The question of whether shoplifting is a significant problem in Northop, Flintshire, requires a careful look at the available data. Based on current figures, Northop, a Built-Up Area (BUA) with a population of 1560, has a crime rate of 30.1 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the United Kingdom’s average crime rate of 91.6 per 1,000 residents.
It's crucial to understand that a crime rate represents the number of reported crimes within a specific area. While the crime rate in Northop is considerably lower than the national average, the inclusion of shoplifting within this figure means it does contribute to the overall crime statistics. The safety score for Northop is 91/100, which is also above the UK average of 79, suggesting a generally safe environment.
However, the term 'significant' is subjective. While shoplifting may not be pervasive, its presence indicates that it's an issue that local authorities and residents should be aware of. The low crime rate overall suggests that shoplifting isn't a widespread or escalating problem, but consistent vigilance and reporting of any incidents are essential to maintaining this positive trend. Further investigation into the specific types of crimes contributing to the 30.1 rate would provide a more granular understanding of the situation, but the data currently available suggests shoplifting is a factor within the overall crime picture, although not a dominant one.